Limb deformity in a newborn. Is rifampicin just an innocent bystander?

OBJECTIVE

The first-line antituberculous agents for use during pregnancy have minimal teratogenic effects. The possibility of limb deformity during rifampin use, however, was reported by some researchers.

CASE REPORT: A male newborn was born with a hypoplastic right forearm to a mother with tuberculosis who used isoniazid and rifampicin in the first two months of her pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

The limb anomaly in our case might be attributed to rifampicin usage during the first 2 months of pregnancy. Caution should be given with regard to possible congenital malformations which could be associated with the treatment of pregnant women with antituberculous drugs.